Medford mail tribune., December 25, 1960, Image 34

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i i Ts iwV- jy
Tiey can' read music or even words yet no artist
can capture the magic of these children heralding the new-born Saviour
By FRANK M. LANE
This Christmas is the day of days for 21 tiny
"celebrities." After seeing the wonders of
Santa's bag, they went into God's house and, with
tonsils blazing, sang at the birthday of our Saviour.
This is the big event for the Cherub Choir of
First United Presbyterian Church at Council
Bluffs, Iowa. The tots and their attractive black
haired director have appeared on radio and tele
vision and have sung in the huge Union Station
at Omaha, Neb. Thousands have heard them.
"But when it's time to sing for their parents and
other church members, they bubble with enthu
siasm," says Mrs. Albert H. Voss, Jr., choir direc
tor. "All our other activities, you might say, are
a tune up for the Christmas program."
The Cherubs are a big hit wherever they sing.
Take the Union Station. At Christmas time it's a
mad scramble of humanity as people rush home for
the holidays. The Cherubs were hardly noticed
until they started to sing.
As their voices rose in volume, the turbulent
station calmed. "How can they read music?" a
skeptical sailor asked, nudging his companion. "I'll
bet most of them can't read at all."
The sailor was nearly right Most of the choir
members are 6 years old; some 7 and 8; a few 9.
"They don't really need to read," explains
Mrs. Voss. "They are little actors and actresses."
Any observant person could tell that One of
the youngsters in the front row was holding his
music folder sideways studying it as if he were
"boning up" for a college examination.
"In most cases the folders are just for atmos
phere," Mrs. Voss says.
The choir was organized in 1957 by Mrs. Voss.
"I love children," she explains, "and I felt a need
for a choir of youngsters."
The tots have at least one radio program dur
ing the holiday season and also appear in con
valescent homes. The rest of the year the Cherubs
sing in church usually once a month.
To be eligible for the choir, a child must be in
the first, second, or third grade of Sunday school.
This rule created a sad moment at the Vosses
this year. Son Al, who loves to sing, was in the
choir, but in September he was graduated from
third grade. That meant leaving the Cherubs.
"Why didn't you have them fail me?" he cried
to his mother. "I want to sing in the Cherubs."
It's this deep "wanting" to sing God's praises
that makes the Cherub Choir so popular, Mrs. Voss
believes. "If you could see their faces on Christ
mas, you'd know what I mean," she- says. "Why,
they're in heaven heaven on earth."
With the serious dedication of artists, the
Cherubs have learned to sing together in
perfect harmony loving every minute of it.
Rehearsal time begins with a signal from Mrs. Albert
H. Voss, Jr., who is the director of the Cherub Choir.
Even accomplished singers have trouble tying on bows.
Mrs. Voss lends one Cherub a hand as the others wait.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY RUSS MELCHER
Judging from their expressions, our tired little tykes ,
are making the most of a well-earned doughnut break. x
Family Weekly, December 25, 1960 11